The Manipura is the Sanskrit name for the solar plexus chakra. The solar plexus chakra sits in the gut and glows a bright yellow aura (when healthy). The Manipura chakra is connected to the element of fire and has a strong presence in the zodiac signs of Aries and Leo. The solar plexus affirmation is “I DO” and its frequency is 528hz.
What is the solar plexus chakra responsible for?
The solar plexus chakra is responsible for maintaining personal connections, attraction, and motivation. The solar plexus is also in control of your identity, self-esteem, willpower, and gut feelings. The power of saying yes or no to situations also plays a huge part.
The solar plexus and manifesting go hand in hand. Thoughts turn into action. Who you see and think of yourself as reflects the relationships and opportunities you attract into your life. If you have low self-esteem, you may attract belittling friends and partners who do the bare minimum. Having a strong solar plexus, self-concept, is essential in creating a solid foundation in your relationships and life experiences.
Signs of a blocked solar plexus chakra
The solar plexus rules the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas. When the solar plexus chakra is opened and unbalanced you may experience physical symptoms of digestive issues. Mental symptoms can be an egotistical mindset, narcissism, or feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. Once the chakra is rebalanced and healed, these symptoms will subside.
Other signs of a blocked solar plexus chakra:
- Seeking validation outside of yourself
- Thinking small and not feeling worthy of the “bigger” things in life
- Saying ‘YES’ when you want to say ‘NO’
- Napoleon Syndrome
- Unhealthy boundaries
- Victim Mentality
- Allergies
Surprisingly, solar plexus issues can stem from childhood, such as not receiving enough validation from your parents or too much from your parents (“mama’s boy“, daddy issues, inferiority/superiority complex, etc.). Other times an issue in the solar plexus can stem from trauma, learned behavior, and life events.
How to open the solar plexus chakra?
To open your Manipura chakra, you must work on your self-concept. Five beneficial ways to uplift your self-esteem and willpower:
- Practice Manipura Yoga Poses: Solar plexus yoga poses focus on the digestive tract organs, pancreas, and adrenal glands where the solar plexus stations.
- Meditation: Staring into a fire sparks our own inner fire. Other exercises like meditating with a fire mudra and crystals are helpful as well.
- Embody a “role model”: Whether that is an actual person you look up to or creating your ideal self. Identity is key.
- Take a look at who you surround yourself with: Friends are a reflection of you. The people you surround yourself with affect your mindset.
- Set habits with long-term effects: If you kept doing what you are doing today in 10 years, where will you be?
1. Solar plexus chakra yoga poses
Manipura power yoga poses focus on the stomach where the solar plexus chakra lives. Warning: practicing solar plexus yoga poses may promote movement in the digestive system. On a positive note, pushing toxins out of the digestive tract helps us think clearer and feel better. Here is a few yoga poses to try to promote a glowing Manipura chakra:
- Plank
- Warrior II/III
- Bow Pose
- King Pigeon Pose
- Camel Pose
- Cobra Pose
- Prayer Pose
- Boat Pose
2. Manipura Chakra Meditation Practices
Three helpful meditation practices in healing the solar plexus:
- Stare into a fire
- Work with fire mudras
- Solar plexus crystals
Stare into a fire
With the solar plexus chakra element being connected to fire, staring at fire is a great healing option. Staring at fire is beneficial and it sparks the creative imagination inside of you. Not only is fire a creative spark, but it also provides warmth and relaxation.
Fire creates and destroys and can be used as a symbolic meaning in our own life. What do you need to create for warmth and relaxation? And what do you need to destroy and break ties with for a happier life?
Work with fire mudras
Did you know each finger is related to an element? The hands and fingers have energetic points that can heal us through deep breaths and practice. Mudras are hand gestures that are used during meditation. Working with Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air) and Prithvi (Earth) help balance our Manipura.
Fire mudra to try: Hold the index and ring finger against the thumb. Let the middle and pinky fingers relax.
Crystals for Solar plexus chakra
Some people think crystals and stones have to coordinate with the color of the chakra for them to work. Many solar plexus chakra stones are orange and yellow. But not always! Tigers eye is brown and pyrite is metallic greyish gold and is both great chakra stones for confidence.
Hold these crystals or place them on your solar plexus:
- Citrine
- Tigers Eye
- Yellow Jasper
- Pyrite
- Sunstone
- Topaz
3. Embodying a Confident You
Change your identity and you can change your life. There are two ways to embody a confident you. One is picturing your ideal self in the future and another is having a role model. When you look in the mirror, how do you think people would describe you? (It is not about what others think, but about setting up an image YOU identify with.) What does your future self do and how do they act and look?
Think of people you once looked up to when you were a child. Family members, friends, celebrities, and even mythological characters are models. What does that person have that you don’t? A personality trait that stood out could have been confidence or passion. Once you recognize those traits and imagery, act on them.
4. Who do you surround yourself around?
Your community plays a role in your mindset. If you surround yourself with happy people, you too will feel happy. The same goes for being around miserable people, you’ll start to dabble in gossip and misery.
Even if you don’t have access to great friends. You can listen to motivating podcasts and read inspirational books. The internet provides access to so much information. If you want to be successful the tools are there. Try to spend less time on social media platforms that don’t provide valuable information.
5. Create Effective Habits
Creating habits is great and all but if you don’t have a reason and future behind a habit… what is the point? Create habits that will help empower you and leave a mark on your future self.
| hABIT | long term EFFECT |
|---|---|
| Exercising | Healthier, longer life span, less doctor visits |
| Reading / Learning something new | Lower risk of Alzheimer’s |
| Affirming | Great self-esteem/ self-concept |
| Taking time for self-care | Less stress and a better relationship with myself |
| Getting a proper sleep | Better overall mental and physical health |
In Conclusion
Balancing and protecting your Manipura is essential for a good self-concept and self-esteem. Whenever you start to question your essence, come back to the solar plexus. Solar plexus chakra healing affirmations, meditating, working with fire mudras and crystals, role models, and creating effective habits all help the solar plexus chakra.
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